DENVER/June 17, 2025 — Morris Animal Foundation has announced funding for a slate of new research grants aimed at tackling important health issues affecting reptiles and amphibians, a historically underfunded area of research. For this grant cycle, the Foundation placed special emphasis on research involving chytrid fungus — a highly infectious pathogen that has devastated amphibian populations worldwide. Chytridiomycosis, the disease caused by chytrid fungus, attacks the skin of amphibians, impairing their ability to absorb water and electrolytes, often resulting in death. The fungus poses a significant threat to biodiversity and is a leading cause of amphibian declines.
“Reptiles and amphibians are vanishing faster than any other groups of vertebrates, yet they remain vastly underrepresented in animal health research,” said Dr. Lara Croft, Veterinary Scientist at Morris Animal Foundation. “With over 40% of amphibian species and nearly 20% of reptiles threatened with extinction, understanding their diseases and responses to environmental stressors is more critical than ever.”
The recipients and their research topics include:
- Dr. Robert Fitak – University of Central Florida: Studying a new parasite decimating Florida pygmy rattlesnakes as a step toward control.
- Dr. Laura Adamovicz – University of Illinois: Studying a new fungal parasite of snakes to support North American snake conservation.
- Dr. Matthew Gray – University of Tennessee: Assessing curcumin as a natural remedy for chytrid infections in amphibians.
- Dr. Rebecca Webb – The University of Melbourne: Developing new models to study chytrid fungus in amphibians.
- Dr. Molly Bletz – The Pennsylvania State University: Using protists as a treatment against chytrid infection.
- Dr. Lois Hoyer – University of Illinois: Studying a new fungus of turtles.
- Dr. Margaret Doolin – University of Massachusetts Boston: Identifying antifungal probiotics from nature.
- Dr. Andrea Vu – University of Rochester: Determining if anti-venom can treat chytrid fungal infections.
These exciting projects are scheduled to begin in summer or early fall 2025, and will advance the health of amphibians and reptiles globally as well as in North America.
About Morris Animal Foundation
Morris Animal Foundation’s mission is to bridge science and resources to advance the health of animals. Founded in 1948 and headquartered in Denver, it is one of the largest nonprofit animal health research organizations in the world, funding nearly $170 million in more than 3,100 critical animal health studies to date across a broad range of species. Learn more at morrisanimalfoundation.org.
Media Contact: Lindsey Washington
